FrieslandCampina Launches Pilot to Curb Methane Emissions with Innovative Manure Additive in Dutch and German Dairy Farms

FrieslandCampina Launches Pilot to Curb Methane Emissions with Innovative Manure Additive in Dutch and German Dairy Farms

(IN BRIEF) FrieslandCampina, in partnership with Agrifirm, Agravis, and Alzchem, has initiated a pilot program using the manure additive Eminex to reduce methane emissions during manure storage. Ten dairy farmers in the Netherlands and Germany are testing Eminex to explore its practicality for daily farm operations. The additive, developed by Alzchem, has demonstrated potential to cut methane emissions by over 90% under specific conditions. The pilot aims to support FrieslandCampina’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions on member farms by 33% by 2030, with research data being collected by Wageningen University & Research.

(PRESS RELEASE) AMERSFOORT, 8-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — FrieslandCampina, in collaboration with Agrifirm, Agravis, and Alzchem, has launched a one-year pilot project to evaluate Eminex, an innovative manure additive designed to reduce methane emissions during manure storage. This pilot involves ten FrieslandCampina member dairy farmers in the Netherlands and Germany, who will test Eminex on their farms to assess its practicality and potential for integration into regular operations.

Methane emissions, a potent contributor to greenhouse gases, are commonly produced during prolonged manure storage. FrieslandCampina has set ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions on member dairy farms by 33% by 2030 compared to 2015 levels. As part of this commitment, the company is collaborating with industry partners to implement and scale solutions like Eminex. Developed by Alzchem in Germany, Eminex has shown promising results in reducing methane emissions from manure storage by over 90% under specific conditions.

The pilot is supported by chain partners Agrifirm in the Netherlands and Agravis in Germany, who will work closely with the participating farms. To ensure thorough evaluation, the Dairy Campus in Leeuwarden, operated by Wageningen University & Research, will monitor and measure methane reductions. This data will be incorporated into the Annual Nutrient Cycling Assessment, providing verifiable insights into the environmental impact reductions achieved through Eminex.

One pilot participant, Luuk Thijssen, a FrieslandCampina dairy farmer from Groesbeek, Netherlands, shared his enthusiasm: “I look forward to seeing how the manure additive performs and sharing what I learn. With Eminex, more nutrients are retained in the manure, which is beneficial for my crops. It also seems to reduce foam in manure storage, which saves space. If it significantly cuts greenhouse gas emissions as well, it’s a win-win for farmers and the environment.”

Media Contact:

Jan-Willem ter Avest
press@frieslandcampina.com

Source: FrieslandCampina